Australian Open 2012: Which Stars are Headed for Early Disappointment?

Watching stars fall is part of the appeal and drama of Grand Slam tennis. Samantha Stosur, the reigning US Open champion, has already fallen in the first round to Sorana Cirstea, so who will be next?

Here are a few prime candidates to fall before the Quarterfinals:

Andy Roddick

Roddick has failed to ascend to the finals in most Grand Slam tournaments. He has been to one final since 2006, losing at Wimbledon to Roger Federer in 2009.

The furthest Roddick has been at the Australian Open is the semifinals. Last year he was done in the fourth round.

Roddick is set to face Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. Hewitt and Roddick once had a fairly spirited rivalry, but Hewitt's career has taken a dip. This is his 16th season on tour and he was eliminated in the first round last year.

This time, the native Aussie is primed to upset his old American foe. After a long and exciting first-round victory, Hewitt could rekindle some old rivalry magic to thwart his rival's Grand Slam run. This could be where the disappointment happens for Roddick.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga is one of the game's most exciting players but his first-round struggles against Denis Istomin were a bit troubling. Tsonga dropped a set and won the final set 7-5 against a player he should have beaten more easily. 

A potential match with 26th-seeded Spaniard, Marcei Granollers, in the third round could be an issue for Tsonga. Tsonga has beaten Granollers in their only previous meeting, but Tsonga does not look his best right now.

Could it be a lack of motivation to play the lower seeds as Tsonga attempts to join the elite players in the world? It is possible, but Granollers shouldn't be taken lightly, he is a formidable opponent who is capable of knocking Tsonga off.

Li Na

The fourth round seems early, but when you consider Na will likely be facing Kim Clijsters at that point, it isn't so bad. The two have played seven times in their careers and Clijsters has won five of those matches.

Clijsters is coming off of injury concerns in 2011 and early 2012, but she has looked good when in action. She seemed on her way to victory in the Brisbane International before she had to retire due to a muscle spasm in the semifinal.

If healthy, she will defeat Na.

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